Massaging apparatus



NIHIIHIIIIIIIIH IIIIIIHIIIHHIHWM m Sept. 14 1926. l A 1599,(528v J. H. AHLGREN MASSAGING APPARATUS Filed April 1. 1925 vso CTI

Patented Sept. '14, 1926.

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This invention relates 'to massaging apparatus, and is' more particularly directedl to. an apparatus forthe reduction offleshr-and for the treatment of the'skin, andthismachine-operates throughan intermittent suction directed through pounding or striking apparatusjwhich is designed to be drawnover thesurface tofb'e inassaged. i

An object of this invention is to prov-ide :a simple `and inexpensive construction of fapparatus Vfor' massaging by rapid Athesurface to be massaged; .y i. i. y

Another object of this invention is to `provide an apparatus `for massaging through 4the strikingof the surface inwhich means arel provided for adjusting the* striking stroke and force with which the striking means is applied to the surface. i

@ther 'objects and advantages `of this invention will be apparent from the followingv detailed description ofa preferred embodi- V 1n-entthereof,as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation illustrating the driving cylinder and plunger in section of the apparatus embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a central sectional side elevation of the slapping or strikingcylinder and control for adjustment mechanism embodied in this invention.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings, 1 indiv cates an electric motor which is mounted upon a stand 2 secured to the base 3. The electric motor is supplied with the requisite current through the leads 4L from a source, not shown. The drive shaft 4 of the motor is connected by means of a gear 5 to a pinion 6 which pinion 6 is secured to a shaft 7. The shaft 7 is journaled in a bearing 8 supported in a standard 9. A linklO is secured to theshaft 7 at one end and at its opposite end is secured by means of a pin 11 to a piston rod 12. The piston rod 12 is connected at a pin 13 to a piston 14 mounted to reciprocate within a cylinder 15. 15 is connected to a flexible hose 16 as illustrated at 17 and the flexible hose 16 is connected by means of a member 18 to a coupling 19 which coupling 19 is screw threaded to a nipple 2O which nipple 2O is screw threaded to a cylinder 21 as illustrated at 22.

The plunger 24 is fitted within the the 'cylf inder 21 and is guided by means ofa piston j Massnerms APPARATUS;

appnetionmedjaprii r, 1925. serial Nt. 19,825.

`striking ofsage.

face to be massaged.

The cylinder rod 25 which: passes through 'a bore 26 formed in the end of the-cylinder 21. i i.

A plurality of ports 27 are-provided in they end of the piston 21and the suction and pressure strokesofthepiston 13 are transso: mitted through the ports 27 and'act upon the plunger24'to causethe `same to reciprocate within 4the cylinder 21; As the piston 13is reciprocated rapidly the plunger 24 is like@ wise rapidly reciprocated. Means -are-pro: vided in the` coupling -19 `for varying the,` force ofthe reciprocation of this plunger, wl1ich=means preferably 4comprise a `member 28 screwthreaded within the member 19, as illustrated aty 29 and having at itslowerend 'ZU- a. head 30 adapted to seat on and close lthe. port 31.` rlhe stem connectinfrthehe'ad 80 to i the member28 `is cut away as illustrated atV 32 and permits the passage or freecommunication of the fluid pressurethrough the member 19. 1 The washer 'ofiisoft rubber,I felt-for. likematerial, is mounted within the rearend of the cylinder 21 so as to preventthe plunger 24 hammering against the rear wall of the cylinder21.` The forward end of les the cylinder 21 is open so that the plunger 24 is free to reciprocate a slight distance beyond the forward edge 34 thereof and to strike the flesh which it is desired to mas- In order to permit free reciprocation of theV plunger 24 and to prevent the drawing or sticking of the skin into the cylinder 21, a plurality of recesses 35v are formed along the forward edge 34 of the cylinder 21 so 90 that a free and unrestricted passage of air into and from the cylinder 21 will be permitted when the saine is applied to the sur- 'Ihe end of the piston rod 26 is provided with a head 3G which 95l strikes the walls of the bore 27 through whichr the rod 26 reciprocates so as to limit the length ofthe stroke of the plunger 24.` The piston end of the plunger 26 is provided with a head 87 which fits closely within a re- 100 cess 38 formed in the forward surface of the plunger 24 so that the forward surface of the plunger 24 is smooth throughout. y

I have discovered that such an apparatus V as herein described is extremely suitable for 165 the purpose of reducingV surplus flesh and for the treatmentv of skin and the like,` due principally to the combined action of such a plunger 24 and the intermittent suction andblowing drafts provided thereby when Acylinder to prevent hammering of the piston against the Wall of the cylinder, means for supplying intermittent suction and pressure to the piston, means 'for regulating the suction and pressure supplied, the said piston being adapted to be applied `directly Vto the surface to be massaged so as to intermittently hammer the surface, `and means formed in the Cylinder for preventing the drawing of the surface into the said cylinder on return movement of the said piston.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a cylinder open at one end, a piston mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder, means mounted in the rear of the cylinder to absorb the impact of the piston against the rear Wall of the cylinder, means secured to the piston and extending' through the rear Wall of the cylinder for guiding the piston during the reciprocation thereof, means for supplying intermittent suction and pressure to the said piston, means secured to the said cylinder and interposed betWeen the said suction and pressure means for regulating the suction and pressure applied to the said piston, the said cylinder being adapted to be applied directly to the surface to be massaged so that the said piston intermittently engages the said surface, and means formed in the wall of the said cylinder for preventing the application of suction to the surface massaged.

3.. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a cylinder open at one end, apiston moi-rnted to reciprocate in the cylinder, means for supplying intermittent suction andpressure to the piston, the said cylinderl being adapted to be applied directly to the surfaceto be in-assagedat. theopen end thereoil so that thel said piston intermittently hammers thesaidsurface, and the said cylinder having a plurality of cu-t away re` cesses formed at its engaging openend.

through which air is adapted to be drawn to.; prevent the application of suction to the surtace being massaged.

Signed at Los Angeles, California, this QGthday otMarch 1925. v

JOHN H. AHLGREN. 

